By Conor Allington
Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton were one of the most active teams across Europe during summer transfer window securing the signatures of six players.
We’re going to assess whether the Toffee’s busy window can be deemed a success, analysing each new signing as well as seeing which players left Merseyside for another club.
Everton fans were hopeful and excited for the window as many began wondering which players would be secured for new manger Carlo Ancelotti to finally start moulding his own team into his own way of playing.
The Toffees first arrival of the summer was highly rated Marseille left-back Niels Nkounkou who arrived on a free transfer.
After weeks of speculation Ancelotti finally secured his first high profile signing of the summer bringing in Brazilian international Allan who had played under the manager at previous club Napoli.
Just days after the announcement of Allan, Everton quickly moved to reunite Ancelotti with another one of his former players, James Rodriguez who signed a two-year deal with the Merseyside club.
Everton’s fourth signing of the summer was another midfielder, Abdoulaye Doucoure who arrived on a three-year deal from Watford. This meant that Ancelotti had completely transformed his midfield in one window.
The Italian manager wasn’t done there though as deadline day deals were completed for Norwich centre half Ben Godfrey and goalkeeper Robin Olsen who arrived on a season long loan from AS Roma.
Niels Nkounkou
On 2nd July left-back Niels Nkounkou joined Everton on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Marseille, signing a three year-deal with the Merseyside club.
With the retirement of Leighton Baines, Ancelotti only had one first team left back at his disposal in French international Lucas Digne.
Nkounkou’s arrival means they have a young back up left-back who at only 19-years-old has plenty of time to be nurtured and trained to reach his highest possible potential.
This signing was certainly a coup for the future as Everton Know that they have a highly rated youngster amongst them eager to work hard and prove himself in order to be at the level required to be a Premier League starting left-back.
Allan Marques Loureiro
Ancelotti’s first high profile signing of the summer, Allan arrived at Everton from Napoli for a reported fee of £21.7 million.
A Brazilian international, Allan put pen to paper on the 5th September signing a three-year deal with the Toffees.
The 29-year-old had previously played under Ancelotti at former club Napoli which shows how much faith and trust the Italian manager has in him to bring him in, for him to become the spine of his midfield.
A Copa America winner with Brazil, Allan has years of experience playing at the highest level and his arrival at the Merseyside club shows that Ancelotti and the board at Everton mean serious business.
James Rodriguez
Arguable Everton’s best signing and potentially could be one of the signings of the summer alongside Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara and Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, James arrived at Everton on a two-year deal with a club option for a third season.
Another player to be reunited with Carlo Ancelotti, James played under the Italian at both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and will now join reigns with his old boss again at Everton.
The Colombian international who broke onto the scene at the 2014 world cup in Brazil taking the golden boot home with him, arrives in the Premier League after somewhat mediocre spells in Spain and Germany.
However, there is no denying the 29-year-old’s talent as he still produced impressive numbers in both Munich and Madrid even if he was out of favour.
He will bring flair and creativity to this Everton side something they have been missing for some time. His ability to unlock a defence with one pass and his sharp eye for goal makes him a welcome addition to Ancelotti’s blues.
This signing is certainly a successful one for Everton as shown by his impressive start to the campaign. The Colombian will certainly go down as one of the best signings of the 2020 summer window.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Everton fans still hadn’t fully grasped the signing of James when Everton announced a third major arrival.
Abdoulaye Doucoure arrived at Everton from Watford on the 8th September on a three-year deal with a club option for a fourth season, for a reported fee of £20 million.
This signing meant that Ancelotti had completely transformed his midfield with the Toffees now displaying a strong midfield three of Allan, James and Doucoure.
The Frenchman was one of the standout players as Watford were relegated to the Championship last season. A player who many clubs were after but, in the end the 27-year-old opted for Everton.
Doucoure adds power, pace and strength to that midfield however, he can also create chances as well as having a keen eye for goal.
Similar to Allan and James in terms of the signing being a successful one in Ancelotti’s rebuild at Everton. Doucoure will certainly be a welcome addition to the team.
Ben Godfrey
Not as high profile as the other signings but a player that Premier League teams will know well, Ben Godfrey arrived at Everton from Norwich in a deal worth around £20 million which could potentially rise to £25 with add ons.
Arriving on the 5th October as one of the first signings on deadline day, Godfrey signed a 5-year deal with the Merseyside club.
The 20-year-old adds competition to Everton’s weak defence and his arrival adds youth and depth to the squad with there being plenty of time to be nurtured and trained into a top Premier League defender.
With a season of first team Premier League football already under his belt, the England U21 international will be hoping to push first choice centre backs Michael Keane and Yerry Mina for a place in the starting 11.
Another smart signing from Ancelotti, Godfrey certainly has the potential to prove to be a success at Everton.
Robin Olsen
Everton’s deadline day antics weren’t done there as they had one last signing to make before the closing of the window.
AS Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen was brought in on a season long loan to play as back up to number one Jordan Pickford.
However, with Pickford coming under constant scrutiny due to his poor performances Olsen could potentially push the England international for his starting position.
The 30-year-old Swedish international will bring a wealth of experience to the club that he has accrued over a 14-year career.
The goalkeeper was a standout performer in Sweden’s run to the World cup quarter finals in 2018.
Another signing to add depth to the squad and Everton’s sixth and final arrival of the transfer window.
Outgoings
With the arrival of six new players Everton also needed to trim down their squad with players returning from loan spells as well as some first team regulars being out of favour.
Everton shipped out three first team players. Martin Stekelenburg moved to Ajax on a free transfer. Moise Kean joined PSG on a season long loan and Theo Walcott returned to the club who gave him his first professional chance returning to Southampton on loan.
Other loan deals include Nathangelo Markelo to FC Twente, Lewis Gibson to Reading and Dennis Adeniran to Wycombe Wanderers, while Kieran Dowell left for Norwich City on a permanent basis.
Longtime Everton Left back Leighton Baines also retired from football at the age of 35 and will go down as a legend of Everton football club.
Overall Everton’s 2020 summer transfer window was a success as they brought in three high profile midfielders completely transforming their midfield.
They also added depth in the Centre back, left back and goalkeeper positions, there ruthlessness in this year’s transfer window shows that Ancelotti is not messing about as he looks to bring European football back to the blue of Merseyside.
